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Abstract:

A medical needle holder having a shaft, a tool mounted on the distal end
of the shaft, two jaw members, such that one jaw member of the tool is
configured to pivot with respect to the other jaw member, a handle
positioned on the proximal end of the shaft and at least two gripping
members, such that the pivotable jaw member of the tool can be actuated
by a movably configured gripping member of the handle.

Claims:

1. A medical needle holder comprising a shaft, a tool positioned on the
distal end of the shaft having two jaw members, such that one jaw member
of the tool is configured to pivot with respect to the other jaw member
of the tool, and a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft,
and at least two gripping members, such that the pivotable jaw member of
the tool can be actuated by a movably configured gripping member of the
handle, wherein at least one portion of the non-pivotable jaw member of
the tool is configured so that it can slide in relation to the other jaw
member of the tool in the longitudinal direction of the shaft and wherein
the sliding in the longitudinal direction of the shaft occurs via a power
drive positioned on the handle.

2. The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the power drive is
configured as an adjusting wheel.

3. The medical instrument of claim 2, wherein the slidable jaw member or
the slidable portion of the jaw member and the power drive are in
operative connection with one another via an actuation element, which
converts the rotary motion of the adjusting wheel into a longitudinal
movement of the slidable jaw member or of the slidable portion of the jaw
member.

4. The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the pivotable jaw member of
the tool and the movably configured gripping member of the handle are in
operative connection with one another via a push-pull element.

5. The A medical instrument of claim 3, wherein the actuation element and
the push-pull element are positioned coaxially to one another in the
shaft.

6. The medical instrument of claim 5, wherein the actuation element is
configured as a hollow tube positioned in the shaft, such that the
adjusting wheel and the hollow tube are in operative connection with one
another via a threading and such that the slidable jaw member or the
slidable portion of the jaw member forms the distal end of the hollow
tube.

7. The medical instrument of claim 6, wherein the push-pull element is
configured as a push-pull rod positioned to slide axially in the hollow
tube.

8. The medical instrument of claim 3, wherein the actuation element and
the push-pull element are positioned parallel alongside one another in
the shaft .

9. The medical instrument of claim 8, wherein the actuation element is
configured as a torsion bar positioned in the shaft, such that the
adjusting wheel and the torsion bar are in friction-locked connection
with one another and such that the slidable portion of the jaw member and
the distal end of the torsion bar are in operative connection with one
another via a threading.

10. The medical instrument of claim 9, wherein the push-pull element is
configured as a push-pull rod positioned in the shaft.

11. The medical instrument of claim 3, wherein the actuation element and
the push-pull element are configured as a one-piece rod-shaped drive
element positioned in the shaft.

12. The medical instrument of claim 11, wherein to transmit the axial
motion from the movably configured gripping member of the handle onto the
pivotable jaw member of the tool, the drive element on the proximal end
is mounted via a spherical connection element on the movably configured
gripping member and on the distal end in the area of the mounting on the
pivotable jaw member in the outer mantle surface of the drive element a
surrounding groove is configured in which a ring is positioned that can
rotate around the longitudinal axis of the drive element and on which the
pivotable jaw member is mounted.

13. The medical instrument of claim 11, wherein to transmit the rotary
motion of the adjusting wheel into a longitudinal movement of the
slidable portion of the jaw member, the drive element is in a
friction-locked connection with the adjusting wheel on the proximal end
and on the distal end in the area of the mounting on the slidable portion
of the jaw member is in friction-locked connection with a sheath that is
mounted coaxially on the distal end of the drive element and that is
connected with the slidable portion of the jaw member via a threading.

14. The medical instrument of claim 13, wherein in the areas of the
friction-locked connections of the drive element with the adjusting wheel
as well as of the drive element with the sheath, equalizing guides are
configured to uncouple the axial motion and rotary motion of the working
element from one another.

15. The medical instrument of claim 13, wherein to configure the
friction-locked connections of the drive element with the adjusting wheel
as well as of the drive element with the sheath, driver pins are
positioned in the drive element to engage the adjusting wheel and sheath
components with one another.

16. The medical instrument of claim 15, wherein the equalizing guides are
configured as grooves positioned in the adjusting wheel and in the sheath
and running in the axial direction, in which the driver pins are mounted.

Description:

[0002] The invention relates to a medical needle holder with a shaft, with
a tool positioned on the distal end of the shaft having two jaw members
such that one jaw member of the tool is configured to pivot with respect
to the other jaw member, and with a handle positioned on the proximal end
of the shaft having at least two gripping members, such that the
pivotable jaw member of the tool can be actuated by a displaceably
configured gripping member of the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Generic medical needle holders are known in various embodiments.
Needles, which as a rule are curved in a sickle shape, are gripped by the
tool and held by clamping between the jaw members of the tool. To align
the needle, held in such a manner, in the correct position for suturing a
surgical site, the operator must either manually align the needle or else
move it to the required position between the jaw members of the tool by
means of an additional gripping forceps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Consequently, it is the object of the invention to provide a
medical needle holder that allows a simple positioning of the needle in
the tool.

[0005] This object is fulfilled, according to the invention, in such a way
that at least one portion of the non-pivotable jaw member of the tool is
configured so that it can be slid in the longitudinal direction of the
shaft in relation to the other jaw member of the tool, and that the
sliding in the longitudinal direction of the shaft occurs by means of a
power drive positioned on the handle.

[0006] Owing to the inventive configuration of the jaw members of the
tool, according to which at least one portion of at least one jaw member
of the tool is configured to slide in the longitudinal direction of the
shaft with respect to the other jaw member of the tool, it is possible
for the first time to align the position of the surgical needle held
between the jaw members without utilizing an additional tool or without
manual gripping. The sliding by the jaw member or partial area of a jaw
member in the longitudinal direction of the shaft occurs, according to
the invention, via a power drive positioned on the handle.

[0007] It is proposed, with a practical embodiment of the invention, that
the slidable jaw member or slidable portion of the jaw member and the
power drive should be configured as an adjusting wheel, so that a very
simple actuation becomes possible with the holding hand.

[0008] According to a practical embodiment of the invention, it is
proposed that the slidable jaw member or slidable portion of the jaw
member and the power drive should be in operative connection with one
another via an actuating element, which converts the rotary motion of the
adjusting wheel into a longitudinal movement of the slidable jaw member
or slidable portion of the jaw member.

[0009] To transmit the purely axial motion for actuating the pivotable jaw
member, it is proposed with the invention that the pivotable jaw member
of the tool and the movably configured gripping member of the handle
should be in operative connection with one another via a push-pull
element.

[0010] According to a first practical embodiment of the invention, it is
proposed that the actuation element and the push-pull element should be
positioned coaxially to one another in the shaft. The coaxial positioning
of the two components constitutes a configuration that conserves space.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the coaxial positioning of
the actuation element and push-pull element, it is proposed with the
invention that the actuation element should be configured as a hollow
tube positioned in the shaft, such that the adjusting wheel and the
hollow tube are in operative connection with one another via a threading
and such that the slidable jaw member or the slidable portion of the jaw
member forms the distal end of the hollow tube.

[0012] The push-pull element is configured in this coaxial configuration
preferably as a push-pull rod positioned so that it can slide in the
hollow tube.

[0013] According to a second practical embodiment of the invention, it is
proposed that the actuation element and the push-pull element should be
positioned parallel alongside one another in the shaft.

[0014] According to the parallel positioning of the actuation element and
the push-pull element, it is proposed with the invention that the
actuation element should be configured as a torsion bar positioned in the
shaft, such that the adjusting wheel and the torsion bar are in a
friction-locked connection with one another and such that the slidable
portion of the jaw member and the distal end of the torsion bar are in
operative connection with one another via a threading.

[0015] To actuate the pivotable jaw member, the push-pull element in this
embodiment is preferably configured as a push-pull rod positioned in the
shaft.

[0016] According to a third practical embodiment of the invention, it is
proposed that the actuation element and the push-pull element should be
configured as a one-piece, rod-shaped drive element positioned in the
shaft, by which both the axial motion of the movable gripping member and
the rotation of the adjusting wheel can be transmitted.

[0017] To transmit the axial motion from the movably configured gripping
member of the handle to the pivotable jaw member of the tool, it is
proposed in this one-piece configuration that the drive element should be
mounted at the proximal end on the movably configured gripping member by
a spherical connecting element and on the distal end in the area of the
mounting on the pivotable jaw member in the outer mantle surface of the
drive element a surrounding groove should be configured in which a ring
is positioned that can pivot around the longitudinal axis of the drive
element and on which the pivotable jaw member is mounted. The spherical
configuration of the proximal end of the drive element allows a freely
rotatable mounting on the movable gripping member, with simultaneous free
play for transmitting axial movements.

[0018] It is further proposed with the invention that to transmit the
rotary motion of the adjusting wheel into a longitudinal movement of the
slidable portion of the jaw member, the drive element should be in a
friction-locked connection with the adjusting wheel on the proximal end,
and on the distal end in the area of the mounting on the slidable portion
of the jaw member it should be in a friction-locked connection with a
sheath that is mounted coaxially on the distal end of the drive element
and that is connected with the slidable portion of the jaw member by a
threading.

[0019] To uncouple the axial motion and the rotary motion of the drive
element from one another, equalizing guides are configured according to
the invention in the areas of the friction-locked connections of the
drive element with the adjusting wheel as well as of the drive element
with the sheath.

[0020] To configure the friction-locked connections of the drive element
with the adjusting wheel, as well as of the drive element with the
sheath, according to the invention driving pins are positioned in the
drive element to engage the adjusting wheel and sheath with one another.

[0021] It is finally proposed with the invention that the equalizing
guides should be configured as grooves that are positioned in the
adjusting wheel and in the sheath and run in the axial direction and in
which the driving pins are mounted.

[0022] Further properties and advantages of the invention can be seen from
the appended drawings, in which various embodiments of an inventive
medical needle holder are illustrated only by way of example, without
restricting the invention to these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of an inventive medical needle
holder with the jaw members in a first working position;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a depiction according to FIG. 1, but showing the jaw
members in a second working position;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged schematic view of a first embodiment of
detail III according to FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged schematic view of the first embodiment of
detail IV according to FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged schematic view of a second embodiment of
detail V according to FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged schematic view of the second embodiment of
detail VI according to FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged schematic view of a third embodiment of
detail VII according to FIG. 1; and

[0030]FIG. 8 shows an enlarged schematic view of the third embodiment of
detail VIII according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The illustrated medical needle holder 1 consists essentially of a
hollow shaft 2 on whose proximal end a handle 5, which comprises two
gripping members 3 and 4, is positioned, such that in the illustrated
embodiment the gripping member 3 is mounted on the handle 5 so that it
can pivot with respect to the other gripping member 4.

[0032] On the distal end of the shaft 2 a tool 6 is positioned that, in
the illustrated embodiment, consists of a jaw member 6a rigidly connected
with the shaft 2 and of a jaw member 6b that can pivot around a pivot
axis 7. To open and close the jaw members 6a and 6b of the tool 6 via the
actuation of the pivotable gripping member 3 of the handle 3, the
pivotable gripping member 3 and the pivotable jaw member 6b are in
operative connection with one another via a push-pull element 8 mounted
in the hollow shaft 2.

[0033] As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8, the jaw members 6a and
6b of the tool 6 are not only configured in such a way that the jaw
member 6b can pivot with respect to the jaw member 6a, but also the jaw
member 6a or a portion 6c of the jaw member 6a is configured so that it
can slide with respect to the jaw member 6b in the longitudinal direction
of the shaft 2.

[0034] Alternatively to the illustrated configuration of the jaw members
6a and 6b of the tool 6, it is also possible of course that the upper jaw
member 6b can be configured rigidly, that is not pivotably, and that the
lower jaw member 6a can be configured pivotably. Likewise, the jaw member
6b or a portion of the jaw member 6b can be configured to slide with
respect to the jaw member 6a in the longitudinal direction of the shaft
2. Another possible construction variant is for both jaw members 6a and
6b to be relatively slidable with respect to one another.

[0035] Owing to this configuration of the jaw members 6a and 6b of the
tool 6, according to which at least one portion 6c of at least one jaw
member 6a or 6b of the tool 6 is configured to slide in relation to the
other jaw member 6b or 6a of the tool 6 in the longitudinal direction of
the shaft 2, it is possible to align the position of a surgical needle 9
held between the jaw members 6a and 6b without utilizing an additional
tool or without manual gripping, because the sliding of the jaw members
6a and 6b with respect to one another causes a rotation of the needle 9
around its longitudinal axis.

[0036] To minimize abrasion of the gripping surface of the slidable jaw
member 6a or of the slidable portion 6c in the contact area with the
surgical needle 9, at least the portion of the gripping surface of at
least one jaw member 6a, 6b serving to receive a surgical needle 9 that
is to be held consists of a hard metal.

[0037] Displacement of the slidable jaw member 6a or the slidable portion
6c of the jaw member 6a occurs via a power drive 10 that is positioned on
the handle 5 and preferably is configured as an adjusting wheel 11 that
can rotate around the longitudinal axis of the shaft 2.

[0038] The slidable jaw member 6a or the slidable portion 6c of the jaw
member 6a and the power drive 10 are in operative connection with one
another via an actuation element 12 that converts the rotary motion of
the adjusting wheel 11 into a longitudinal movement of the slidable jaw
member 6a or of the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a.

[0039] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 through 8 for configuring a
medical needle holder 1 are distinguished from one another essentially in
the fact that the pivoting of the pivotable jaw member 6b occurs via the
pivotable gripping member 3 of the handle 5 and the displacement of the
slidable jaw member 6a or of the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a
occurs via the power drive 10.

[0040] In the first embodiment of the medical needle holder 1 illustrated
in FIGS. 3 and 4, the actuating element 12 and the push-pull element 8
are positioned coaxially to one another in the shaft 2.

[0041] As can be seen from FIG. 3, the actuating element 12 in this
embodiment is configured as a hollow tube 13 positioned in the shaft 2,
such that the adjusting wheel 11 and the hollow tube 13 are in operative
connection with one another via a threading 14 in such a way that the
rotary motion of the adjusting wheel 11 is transmitted into a purely
axial displacement of the hollow tube 13.

[0042] The push-pull element 8 for actuating the pivotable jaw member 6b
via the pivotable gripping member 3 is, in this embodiment, configured as
a push-pull rod 15 that is positioned to slide axially in the hollow tube
13 and that is coupled on the proximal end in a friction locking with the
pivotable gripping member 3 of the handle 5.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows the distal end of the medical needle holder 1
according to the previously described first embodiment. As can be seen
from the illustration, the push-pull rod 15 is mounted on the pivotable
jaw member 6a via a coupling point 16 in such a way that, upon an axial
sliding of the push-pull rod 15 in the distal direction, the pivotable
jaw member 6b is pivoted around a pivot axis 17 into the opened position
shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Conversely, the axial pulling back of
the push-pull rod 15 in the proximal direction causes the pivotable jaw
member 6b to be converted into the closed position.

[0044] According to the illustrated first embodiment, the slidable jaw
member 6a constitutes the first end of the hollow tube 13, so that the
rotation of the adjusting wheel 11 by transmission via the thread 14
causes a direct axial displacement of the slidable jaw member 6a.
Alternatively to the illustrated embodiment, it is also possible for the
distal end of the hollow tube 13 to be configured from a slidable portion
6c of the jaw member 6a.

[0045] In the alternative embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 through 8 for
configuring the relative slidability of the jaw members 6a and 6b of the
tool 6, the entire jaw member 6a is not configured to be slidable in the
longitudinal direction of the shaft 2, but only the portion 6c of the jaw
member 6a that serves for clamping reception of the needle 9.

[0046] In the second embodiment of the medical needle holder 1 illustrated
in FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuating element 12 and the push-pull element 8
are positioned parallel alongside one another in the shaft 2.

[0047] As can be seen from FIG. 5, the actuating element 12 is configured
in this embodiment as a torsion bar 18 positioned in the shaft 2, such
that the adjusting wheel 11 and the torsion bar 18 are in friction-locked
connection with one another in such a way that the rotary motion of the
adjusting wheel 11 is transmitted directly into a rotation of the torsion
bar 18 around the longitudinal axis 19 of the shaft 2.

[0048] The push-pull element 8 for actuating the pivotable jaw member 6b
via the pivotable gripping member 3 is, in this embodiment, configured as
a push-pull rod 15 that is positioned to slide axially in the hollow tube
13 and that is coupled on the proximal end in friction-locked connection
with the pivotable gripping member 3 of the handle 5.

[0049] FIG. 6 shows the distal end of the medical needle holder 1
according to the previously described second embodiment. As can be seen
from the illustration, the push-pull rod 15 is positioned on the
pivotable jaw member 6a via a coupling point 16 in such a way that the
pivotable jaw member 6b, upon axial sliding of the push-pull rod 15 in
the distal direction, is pivoted around a pivot axis 17 into the opened
position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Conversely, the axial pulling
back of the push-pull rod 15 in the proximal direction causes the
pivotable jaw member 6b to be converted into the closed position.

[0050] According to the illustrated second embodiment, in this embodiment
the entire jaw member 6a is not positioned to slide in the longitudinal
direction of the shaft 2, but only a portion 6c of the jaw member 6a. In
order to convert the rotary motion of the torsion bar 18, which was
caused by rotation of the adjusting wheel 11, into a purely axial
movement of the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a, the distal end
of the torsion bar 18 and the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a
are in operative connection with one another via a threading 14.

[0051] In the third embodiment of the medical needle holder 1 shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8, the actuating element 12 and the push-pull element 8 are
configured as a one-piece, rod-shaped drive element 20 positioned in the
shaft 2.

[0052] As can be seen from FIG. 7, to transmit the axial motion from the
movably configured gripping member 3 of the handle 5 onto the pivotable
jaw member 6b of the tool 6, the drive element 20 is mounted on the
proximal end on the movably configured gripping member 3 via a spherical
connecting element 21, such that the spherical configuration of the
proximal end of the drive element 20 makes possible a freely rotatable
mounting of the drive element 20 on the movable gripping member 3, with
simultaneous free play to transmit the axial motion.

[0053] As can be further seen from FIG. 7, the adjusting wheel 11 and the
torsion bar 18 are in a friction-locked connection with one another in
such a way that the rotary motion of the adjusting wheel 11 is
transmitted directly into a rotation of the drive element 20 around the
longitudinal axis 19 of the shaft 2, such that to configure the
friction-locked connection of the adjusting wheel 11 with the drive
element 20, a driving pin 22 is positioned in the drive element 20 to
engage in the adjusting wheel 11.

[0054] To uncouple the axial motion and the rotary motion of the drive
element 20 from one another, a groove-shaped equalizing guide 23 is
configured in the adjusting wheel 11 in the area of the friction-locked
connection of the drive element 20 with the adjusting wheel 11, so that
the drive element 20 can be slid in the axial direction via the pivotable
gripping member 3 without being blocked by the friction-locked coupling
between the adjusting wheel 11 and the drive element 20.

[0055]FIG. 8 shows the distal end of the medical needle holder 1
according to the previously described third embodiment. As can be seen
from the illustration, to transmit the axial motion from the movably
configured gripping member 3 of the handle 5 onto the pivotable jaw
member 6b of the tool 6, the drive element 20 on the distal end in the
area of the mounting on the pivotable jaw member 6a involves a
surrounding groove 24 being configured in which a ring 25 is positioned
that can pivot around the longitudinal axis of the drive element 20 and
on which the pivotable jaw member 6a is mounted via a coupling point 16
in such a way that the pivotable jaw member 6b upon axial sliding of the
drive element 20 in the distal direction is pivoted around a pivot axis
17 into the opened position shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. Conversely,
the axial pulling back of the drive element 20 in the proximal direction
causes the conversion of the pivotable jaw member 6 into the closed
position.

[0056] According to an illustrated third embodiment, in this embodiment as
well, the entire jaw member 6a is not configured in the longitudinal
direction of the shaft 2, but only a portion 6c of the jaw member 6a.

[0057] To transmit the rotary motion of the adjusting wheel 11 into a
longitudinal movement of the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a,
the drive element 20 on the distal end in the area of the mounting on the
slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a is in operative connection in
friction-locking with a sheath 26 that is mounted coaxially on the distal
end of the drive element 20 and that is connected via a threading 14 with
the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a, such that to configure the
friction-locked connection of the adjusting wheel 11 with the drive
element 20, a driving pin 22 is positioned in the drive element 20 to
engage in the sheath 26.

[0058] To uncouple the axial motion and the rotary motion of the drive
element 20 from one another, a groove-shaped equalizing guide 23 is
configured in the sheath 26 in the area of the friction-locked connection
of the drive element 20 with the sheath 26, so that the drive element 20
can be slid in the axial direction via the pivotable gripping member 3
without becoming blocked by the friction-locked coupling between the
sheath 26 and the drive element 20.

[0059] The medical needle holder 1 as previously described and as
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 8 is operated as follows.

[0060] Starting from the opened position of the tool 6 illustrated in
broken lines in FIG. 1, the needle holder 1 is placed by the operator in
such a way that the surgical needle 9 comes to rest between the jaw
members 6a and 6b of the tool 6. Then the operator presses the gripping
members 3 and 4 of the handle 5 together, so that the pivotable jaw
member 6b is closed and the needle is held clamped between the two jaw
members 6a and 6b.

[0061] The needle 9, which as a rule is shaped in a sickle-like curvature,
in order to suture a surgical site, must be aligned in the needle holder
1 in such a way that the operator can insert the needle 9 at the correct
angle into the tissue that is to be sutured.

[0062] Alignment of the needle 9 held between the jaw members 6a and 6b
occurs with the described needle holder 1 in such a way that, by
actuating the power drive 10 positioned on the handle 5, either the
entire jaw member 6a or only a portion 6c of the jaw member 6a is slid
with respect to the other jaw member 6b in the longitudinal direction of
the shaft 2, causing a rotation of the needle 9 around its longitudinal
axis.

[0063] In order, on the one hand, to ensure a durably secure gripping of
the surgical needle 9 in the tool 6 and, on the other hand, to relieve
the operator, so that he/she is not required continually to actuate the
gripping members 3 and 4 of the handle 5, the gripping members 3 and 4 of
the handle 5 can be secured in their respective positions via a blocking
mechanism 27, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0064] By means of this blocking mechanism 27, it is possible to secure
the needle between the jaw members 6a and 6b in a first incision only in
such a way that the needle can still be rotated for alignment and only
thereafter does the definitive clamping of the needle 9 in the correct
position occur.

[0065] After releasing the surgical needle 9, in order to allow the
slidable jaw member 6a or the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member 6a to
resume the same freedom of movement for renewed grasping of the needle 9,
the slidable jaw member 6a or the slidable portion 6c of the jaw member
6a is pre-tensed into a starting position by a spring element that is not
illustrated.

[0066] A medical needle holder 1 of this configuration is distinguished by
the fact that a simple positioning of the needle 9 in the tool 6 becomes
possible without use of an additional instrument.

Patent applications by Sven Schneider, Tuttlingen DE

Patent applications by Uwe Bacher, Tuttlingen DE

Patent applications in class Means for clamping needle to handle

Patent applications in all subclasses Means for clamping needle to handle